The Boston Red Sox's starting pitching needs have been a main topic of their young offseason so far, but the team will lose a few of its bullpen arms to free agency.
The Red Sox will lose Steven Matz and Justin Wilson to the open market in November. They also would've lost Aroldis Chapman, who posted an incredible rebound season (1.17 ERA. 0.70 WHIP, 32 saves, 85 strikeouts, 15 walks, 61.1 innings pitched), but they extended him in August.
Boston could use a few veteran arms to replace the ones it's expected to lose. Chris Cotillo of MassLive named a few, including Kirby Yates and Kyle Finnegan, but Luke Weaver's name sticks out most on his list.
Weaver is a 10-year MLB veteran who most recently posted two-and-a-half seasons with the New York Yankees. The righty, who began his career primarily as a starter, has posted a 4.74 ERA and a 1.342 WHIP over 723 innings during his decade in MLB. Weaver really found success with the Yankees in 2024, when he clocked a 2.89 ERA with a 0.929 WHIP, four saves, 103 strikeouts and 26 walks over 84 innings of work.
Red Sox could target former Yankees reliever Luke Weaver for veteran bullpen reinforcement in 2026
Weaver's walk year didn't go quite as well. His 3.62 ERA looks alright on paper, but he regressed rather significantly in the second half and into the playoffs. Weaver logged a 2.91 ERA with a 0.85 WHIP and eight saves in 34 innings before the All-Star break, and a 4.40 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP without any saves in 30.2 innings after. He also faltered severely in the postseason, and allowed five runs on four hits over a third of an inning across three appearances. Waver's playoff opponents clocked an .800 batting average against him.
Weaver's history is rocky, but as a full-time reliever, he's largely been solid. Recency bias could hurt Weaver's market and open the door for the Red Sox to snag a veteran righty for their 'pen, which will likely feature multiple young, homegrown pitchers who don't fit in their rotation.
The Red Sox have had great success with former Yankees on their roster in recent years: Carlos Narváez is nominated for a Gold Glove, Chapman and Garrett Whitlock were two of the best relief pitchers in the American League last season, and Rob Refsnyder revamped his career in his 30s with Boston. Weaver could be another Red Sox rebound candidate who could sting the Yankees even more after their recent playoff exit at the hands of the Blue Jays.